Written Answers Wednesday 3 October 2007

Scottish Executive

Building Standards

Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to review the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 in order to permit competition between neighbouring local authorities in relation to the provision of building warrants.

Stewart Stevenson: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency, to answer. His response is as follows:

  No.

Building Standards

Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider reviewing the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 in order to permit competition between neighbouring local authorities in relation to the provision of building warrants.

Stewart Stevenson: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency, to answer. His response is as follows:

  There is no justification for such a review.

Building Standards

Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Association of Building Standards Managers is funded by public money.

Stewart Stevenson: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency, to answer. His response is as follows:

  I can confirm that the Scottish Association of Building Standards Managers does not receive funding support from the Scottish Government and I am unaware of the extent and nature of possible local authority support.

Children in Care

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on (a) looking after, (b) accommodation for and (c) any other services for children in care in the most recent year for which statistics are available, expressed per child and broken down by local authority.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is not collected centrally in the format requested.

  Table 4a of the most recent publication of the Scottish Local Government statistics 2005-06 breaks down total expenditure by each local authority for Children and Families services. This is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats.

  The total expenditure for children and families services has been disaggregated (PQ expenditure listings 2005-06) using the programme lines by which local authorities report its expenditure on children and families services to the Scottish Government. A table displaying this has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 43747).

Education

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop a system of registration for jobs for classroom assistants to raise standards and promote their education and training.

Maureen Watt: The suggestion that the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) should register classroom assistants was raised in the Equal Opportunities Commission’s report Valuable Assets – a general formal investigation into the role and status of Classroom Assistants in Scottish schools . We will consider the suggestion carefully, in consultation with the GTCS.

Enterprise

Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to safeguard the future of the Harris tweed industry.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of Harris Tweed to the economy of the Western Isles. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and HIE Innse Gall, have worked with the Harris Tweed industry over a considerable period of time to support its development, and will continue to do so.

  HIE Innse Gall are working with self-employed weavers in a number of ways, including weaver training and assistance with the capital costs of buildings and equipment. HIE and HIE Innse Gall are currently working in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on opportunities for expanding the market and volume production of Harris Tweed.

Environment

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to review the Assynt - Coigach Area Protection Order 2004.

Richard Lochhead: The Assynt - Coigach Protection Order was reviewed in 2006 and there are no plans to review it in the immediate future.

Environment

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any reports made in respect of the Assynt - Coigach Area Protection Order 2004.

Richard Lochhead: The Assynt - Coigach Protection Order Liaison Committee produce an annual report which is available from the Secretary of that Committee.

Fisheries

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what provisions there are under the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976 to review or repeal orders that have been made.

Richard Lochhead: The provisions in the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976 were repealed and re-enacted in the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003.

  The 2003 act make provision for protection orders to be reviewed or revoked in whole or in part at any time.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests it has received under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 in each month since January 2005, broken down by department and showing the number lodged by (a) members of the public, (b) MPs, MSPs, MEPs, councillors and Members of the House of Lords and (c) journalists.

Bruce Crawford: The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires that requests for information state the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence. There is no requirement for an applicant to provide, for example, their organisation, or occupation. However, where we have been notified of such, this information is recorded.

  (a) We do not have any requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a member of the public. However, detail on how many requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 received by the Scottish Government which have been centrally recorded in each month since January 2005 broken down by department, where the applicant has not identified him or herself as a MSP, MEP, councillor, or acting on behalf of an organisation, is provided as follows.

  2005

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
3
3
3
3
2
0
3


Education
3
6
5
10
7
2
7


Environment and Rural Affairs
8
9
5
19
3
3
7


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
3
4
1
7
2
2
5


Finance and Central Services
3
2
1
1
2
1
1


Health
6
7
6
5
8
3
2


Justice
0
1
2
7
1
1
8


Legal and Parliamentary Services
2
4
0
5
0
1
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
2
2
3
3
19
0
0



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
8
2
4
6
2


Education
5
9
1
6
3


Environment and Rural Affairs
2
2
6
4
1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
4
4
4
15
5


Finance and Central Services
0
4
6
3
7


Health
0
2
1
6
5


Justice
3
3
2
6
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
1
0
0
1
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
2
3
2
4
4



  2006

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
1
0
6
4
3
6
4


Education
3
5
9
1
0
3
2


Environment and Rural Affairs
9
2
7
5
1
6
4


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
14
7
10
6
3
7
5


Finance and Central Services
4
10
8
4
6
3
2


Health
3
4
4
4
2
4
2


Justice
3
4
7
2
2
4
5


Legal and Parliamentary Services
3
1
2
0
1
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
7
4
5
1
1
3
5



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
8
2
3
6
0


Education
11
3
3
2
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
7
3
6
5
3


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
2
3
3
5
3


Finance and Central Services
1
3
18
6
5


Health
4
1
5
3
2


Justice
33
1
6
4
2


Legal and Parliamentary Services
1
2
9
1
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
2
4
4
6
7



  2007

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May


Development
2
5
4
1
2


Education
1
1
4
1
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
10
4
7
1
4


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
5
8
2
3
2


Finance and Central Services
12
11
5
1
4


Health
3
3
3
4
2


Justice
3
8
1
3
3


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
4
3
1
2


Office of the Permanent Secretary
1
14
4
7
3


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 


Economy
0
0
0
0
0


Education
0
0
0
0
0


Environment
0
0
0
0
0


Health
0
0
0
0
0


Justice and Communities
0
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary
0
0
0
0
0



  

Department
June
July
August
September


Development
1
2
0
0


Education
0
1
0
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
6
3
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
1
1
0
0


Finance and Central Services
5
1
0
0


Health
2
1
0
0


Justice
1
2
0
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
0
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
2
1
0
0


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 


Economy
0
5
3
1


Education
0
0
7
0


Environment
1
3
1
2


Health
0
1
1
1


Justice and Communities
0
0
3
0


Permanent Secretary
0
1
4
2



  (b) and (c) Detail on how many requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 received by the Scottish Government which have been centrally recorded in each month since January 2005, broken down by department, and where an applicant has clearly identified him or herself as a MSP, MEP, councillor, or as coming from a journalistic organisation, is provided as follows. We do not have any requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a MP or Member of the House of Lords.

  2005

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
6
3
6
2
0
2
0


Education
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
1
0
5
0
1
0


Councillor
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
8
12
105
31
3
1
7


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
0
1
0
0
0


Journalist
18
6
7
17
4
6
1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
4
2
0
0


Councillor
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
12
14
6
16
3
1
2


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
1
1
0
0


Journalist
11
25
16
11
5
3
15


Health
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
7


Journalist
6
51
31
22
11
1
32


Justice
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
2
1
0


Journalist
6
14
27
10
7
0
4


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
9
0
1
0
0
0


Journalist
5
2
8
13
1
1
1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
1
0
2
4
0
1


Journalist
48
36
33
9
3
0
9



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
1
2


Journalist
2
0
1
0
2


Education
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
1
0
0
0


Councillor
0
0
0
0
1


Journalist
5
3
1
2
1


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
2
1
0
0
1


Journalist
2
4
7
2
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
3
2
2


Councillor
0
0
0
0
1


Journalist
1
1
7
1
4


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
1


Journalist
3
3
1
5
3


Health
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
1
2
0


Journalist
3
1
3
5
0


Justice
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
1
2
0


Journalist
1
1
4
8
3


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
1


Journalist
4
0
2
0
1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
0
0
0


Journalist
2
2
0
31
1



  2006

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0
1
0
0


Education
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
1
0
0
0
0


Journalist
1
3
2
1
3
1
1


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
1
0
0
0
0


Journalist
2
7
4
2
2
2
3


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
2
0
3
0
2
1
0


MEP
0
0
0
1
0
0
0


Journalist
3
4
4
3
4
4
3


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
1


Journalist
16
13
10
4
8
2
5


Health
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
1
1
5
2
4
9
1


Justice
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
3
1
4
0
0
0
1


Journalist
0
4
2
1
1
7
6


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
2
0
1
0
0
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
2
1


Journalist
1
6
2
20
5
6
4



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
3
1


Journalist
0
1
0
0
1


Education
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
1
0


Journalist
1
1
2
2
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
1
1
0
1


Journalist
3
5
0
1
1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
1
0
2
1


MEP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
2
3
1
0
1


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
2
1
0
0
1


Journalist
6
8
0
3
8


Health
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
1
1
0


Journalist
0
1
0
8
1


Justice
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
1
0


Journalist
18
2
3
3
3


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
2
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
1
1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
1


Journalist
10
5
3
5
4



  2007

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May


Development
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
1
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
1
0


Education
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
2
5
4
3
2


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
5
5
2
1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
1
0
0


Journalist
0
0
1
1
1


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
0
0
0


Journalist
2
3
1
0
4


Health
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
0
0
0


Journalist
3
7
6
4
10


Justice
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
1
1
0
0


Journalist
1
1
0
2
5


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
1
1
1
2


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
5
35
32
8
5


Directors-General*


Economy
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0
0


Education
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0
0


Environment
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0
0


Health
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0
0


Justice and Communities


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0
0



  

Department
June
July
August
September


Development
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0


Education
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
1
0
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Journalist
2
0
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
0
0


Journalist
2
0
0
0


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Journalist
3
0
0
0


Health
 
 
 
 


MSP
7
0
0
0


Journalist
4
2
0
0


Justice
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
0
0


Journalist
3
1
0
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 


MSP
1
0
0
0


Journalist
0
3
0
0


Directors-General*


Economy
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
1


Journalist
0
1
2
1


Education
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
1
1
1


Environment
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
1
6


Health
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
1
0
1


Journalist
0
0
7
2


Justice and Communities


MSP
0
0
0
1


Journalist
0
0
1
4


Permanent Secretary


MSP
0
0
0
0


Journalist
0
0
13
4



  Note: *Reflects a change in organisational structure.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of requests received by it under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 were answered within the statutory time limit in each month since January 2005, broken down by department and month of receipt of the request.

The Executive have supplied the following corrected answer:

Bruce Crawford: Detail on how many and what percentage of requests received by the Scottish Government which have been centrally recorded and where we have been notified of the outcome of the request in each month since January 2005, broken down by departments, is provided as follows.

  2005

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
67%
6
67%
4
100%
11
25%
1
50%
1
50%
1
100%
3


Education
75%
6
93%
26
90%
95
79%
23
92%
12
67%
2
100%
17


Environment and Rural Affairs
65.5%
19
94%
15
100%
13
80%
28
78%
7
71%
10
92%
11


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
76%
19
95%
18
100%
8
82%
18
75%
6
80%
4
80%
4


Finance and Central Services
77%
10
77%
20
89%
16
64%
9

45%
5
100%
6
61.5%
8


Health
60%
9
85%
52
47%
16
62%
18
95%
18
100%
3
84%
37


Justice
0%
1
100%
10
97%
33
93%
14
100%
2
50%
1
91%
10


Legal and Parliamentary Services
71%
5
33%
5
83%
10
53%
18
100%
1
50%
1
0%
1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
77%
37
57.5%
23
14%
5
77%
10
75%
15
100%
1
70%
9



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
90%
9
100%
4
83%
5
100%
3
55%
5



Education
93%
14
71%
10
67%
2
75%
6
67%
4


Environment and Rural Affairs
86%
6
87.5%
7
53%
8
50%
3
100%
5


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
33%
2
75%
3
80%
4
75%
12
64%
7


Finance and Central Services
40%
2
89%
8
68%
7
78%
7
46%
6


Health
100%
3
67%
2
80%
4
38%
5
0%
1


Justice
33%
1
50%
2
67%
2
67%
8
100%
1


Legal and Parliamentary Services
80%
4
0%
1
67%
2
0%
1
0%
2


Office of the Permanent Secretary
100%
5
43%
3
80%
4
50%
4
50%
2



  2006

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
100%
3
100%
2
40%
2
67%
2
50%
2
50%
3
100%
4


Education
60%
3
75%
9
93%
13
86%
6
67%
6
50%
1
100%
1


Environment and Rural Affairs
27%
3
25%
1
92%
11
100%
3
75%
3
71%
5
87.5%
7


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
80%
12
83%
10
53%
8
11%
1
44%
4
80%
8
100%
4


Finance and Central Services
37%
7
70%
14
56%
9
83%
10
67%
10
62.5%
5
50%
3


Health
20%
1
67%
2
50%
4
100%
2
57%
4
42%
5
100%
1


Justice
50%
1
25%
1
80%
4
0%
2
50%
1
100%
4
75%
3


Legal and Parliamentary Services
67%
2
100%
3
75%
3
100%
1
100%
1
0
100%
1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
60%
6
50%
4
75%
6
25%
5
71%
5
78%
7
20%
1



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
0
67%
2
67%
2
67%
6
0%
1


Education
33%
5
100%
4
100%
5
33%
1
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
91%
10
83%
5
80%
4
0
67%
4


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
67%
2
20%
1
25%
1
67%
2
0%
2


Finance and Central Services
33%
4
54.5%
6
75%
6
89%
8
60%
3


Health
0%
3
0%
1
0%
2
54%
7
50%
1


Justice
82%
14
0%
3
57%
4
0%
1
50%
1


Legal and Parliamentary Services
100%
1
100%
3
75%
3
0
50%
1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
44%
4
33%
3
75%
6
67%
2
14%
1



  2007

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May


Development
50%
1
100%
3
100%
3
100%
1
100%
1


Education
100%
2
50%
2
57%
4
100%
4
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
80%
4
75%
3
57%
4
0
100%
3


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0%
1
50%
3
25%
1
0%
1
67%
2


Finance and Central Services
100%
7
80%
8
100%
4
0%
1
57%
4


Health
50%
1
60%
3
100%
1
67%
2
83%
5


Justice
100%
1
75%
6
50%
1
0%
1
75%
3


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
100%
1
100%
2
0%
1
67%
2


Office of the Permanent Secretary
50%
3
28%
10
82%
9
64%
7
67%
2


Directors-General*


Economy
0
0
0
0
0


Education
0
0
0
0
0


Environment
0
0
0
0
0


Health
0
0
0
0
0


Justice and Communities
0
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary
0
0
0
0
0



  

Department
June
July
August
September


Development
100%
1
50%
1
0
0


Education
0
100%
1
0
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
50%
2
1002
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0
0
0%
1
0


Finance and Central Services
100%
3
50%
1
0
0


Health
89%
8
50%
1
0
0


Justice
0
100%
1
0
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
0
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
100%
2
0
0


Directors-General*


Economy
0
83%
5
80%
4
0


Education
0
0
0
100%
1


Environment
100%
1
100%
3
0
100%
1


Health
0
100%
1
100%
3
100%
1


Justice and Communities
0
100%
1
0
100%
1


Permanent Secretary
0
100%
1
100%
1
100%
2



  Note:*Reflects a change in organisational structure.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of requests received by it under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 from members of the public were answered within the statutory time limit in each month since January 2005, broken down by department and month of receipt of the request.

Bruce Crawford: The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires that requests for information state the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence. There is no requirement for an applicant to provide, for example, their organisation, or occupation. However, where we have been notified of such, this information is recorded.

  We do not have any requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a member of the public. However, detail on how many and what percentage of requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 received by the Scottish Government which have been centrally recorded and where we have been notified of the response, that were answered within the statutory time limit in each month since January 2005 broken down by department, and where the applicant has not identified him or herself as a MSP, MEP, councillor, or acting on behalf of an organisation, is provided below.

  2005

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
67%
2
100%
3
100%
3
0%
2
0
0
100%
1


Education
100%
3
100%
6
100%
5
71%
5
100%
6
100%
2
100%
6


Environment and Rural Affairs
62.5%
5
100%
9
100%
4
100%
12
67%
2
50%
1
100%
6


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
67%
2
100%
4
100%
1
100%
4
100%
1
50%
1
75%
3


Finance and Central Services
67%
2
100%
2
100%
1
100%
1
100%
1
100%
1
100%
1


Health
67%
4
86%
6
100%
6
67%
2
100%
8
100%
1
100%
2


Justice
0
100%
1
100%
2
83%
5
0
0%
1
86%
6


Legal and Parliamentary Services
50%
1
100%
3
0
40%
2
0
0%
1
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
50%
1
100%
2
100%
3
33%
1
83%
10
0
0



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
80%
4
100%
1
100%
3
100%
3
100%
2


Education
100%
5
75%
6
100%
1
80%
4
33%
1


Environment and Rural Affairs
100%
2
100%
1
100%
4
50%
2
100%
1-


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
50%
4
100%
1
100%
2
69%
9
80%
4


Finance and Central Services
0
100%
4
60%
3
100%
3
25%
1


Health
0
50%
1
100%
1
75%
3
100%
1


Justice
100%
1
0%
1
100%
1
75%
3
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
100%
1
0
0
0%
1
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
100%
1
100%
1
67%
2
50%
1



  2006

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
100%
1
0
50%
1
50%
1
67%
2
50%
3
100%
4


Education
100%
2
60%
3
100%
4
0
0
50%
1
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
12.5%
1
0
100%
6
100%
1
100%
1
75%
3
50%
1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
77%
10
83%
5
75%
6
33%
1
100%
2
83%
5
100%
2


Finance and Central Services
100%
4
67%
6
67%
4
67%
2
100%
2
67%
2
0


Health
0%
3
50%
1
50%
1
0
50%
1
33%
1
0


Justice
100%
1
50%
1
100%
3
0%
2
50%
1
100%
1
50%
1


Legal and Parliamentary Services
100%
2
100%
1
50%
1
0
100%
1
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
43%
3
50%
1
100%
2
100%
1
0
50%
1
0%
4



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
0
0%
1
100%
2
100%
5
0


Education
9%
1
0
100%
1
0%
1
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
86%
6
100%
3
75%
3
0
67%
2


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
100%
2
0%
1
50%
1
50%
1
0%
2


Finance and Central Services
100%
1
67%
2
75%
3
80%
4
100%
2


Health
0%
2
0%
1
0%
1
33%
1
0%
1


Justice
100%
8
0%
1
60%
3
0
50%
1


Legal and Parliamentary Services
100%
1
100%
1
67%
2
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
50%
1
0%
1
50%
2
50%
1
14%
1



  2007

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May


Development
50%
1
100%
3
100%
2
100%
1
100%
1


Education
0
0%
1
75%
3
100%
1
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
75%
3
100%
2
67%
2
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0%
1
40%
2
0%
1
100%
1
0%
2


Finance and Central Services
100%
6
83%
5
100%
4
0%
1
75%
3


Health
100%
1
50%
1
100%
1
0%
1
100%
1


Justice
100%
1
83%
5
0
0%
1
50%
1


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
0
100%
1
0%
1
0%
1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
33%
3
50%
2
57%
4
100%
1


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 
 


Economy
0
0
0
0
0


Education
0
0
0
0
0


Environment
0
0
0
0
0


Health
0
0
0
0
0


Justice and Communities
0
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary
0
0
0
0
0



  

Department
June
July
August
September


Development
100%
1
100%
1
0
0


Education
0
100%
1
0
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
100%
1
100%
2
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0
0
0
0


Finance and Central Services
100%
1
100%
1
0
0


Health
0
0%
1
0
0


Justice
0
0
0
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
0
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
0
0
0


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 


Economy
0
100%
2
50%
1
0


Education
0
0
100%
1
0


Environment
100%
1
100%
3
0
100%
1


Health
0
0
0
100%
1


Justice and Communities
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary
0
100%
1
0
100%
1



  Note: *Reflects a change in organisational structure

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of requests received by it under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 from MPs, MSPs, MEPs, councillors and members of the House of Lords were answered within the statutory time limit in each month since January 2005, broken down by department and month of receipt of the request.

Bruce Crawford: The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires that requests for information state the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence. There is no requirement for an applicant to provide, for example, their organisation, or occupation. However, where we have been notified of such, this information is recorded.

  Detail on how many and what percentage of requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 received by the Scottish Government which have been centrally recorded and, where we have been notified of the response, that were answered within the statutory time limit in each month since January 2005, broken down by department, and where an applicant has clearly identified him or herself as a MSP, MEP or councillor is provided as follows. We do not have any requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a MP or Member of the House of Lords.

  2005

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Education
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
100%
-1
0
100%
-5
0
0%
-1
0


Councillor
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0%
-1
0
0
100%
-1
0
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
100%
-3
100%
-2
0
0


Councillor
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0%
-1
100%
-1
0
0


Health
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
33%
-1


Justice
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
100%
-1
100%
-1
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0%
-9
0
0%
-1
0
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
100%
-1
0
100%
-2
75%
-3
0
0%
-1



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0%
-2


Education
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
100%
-1
0%
-1
0
0
0


Councillor
0
0
0
0
100%
-1


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
100%
-2
100%
-1
0
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
100%
-1
50%
-1


Councillor
0
0
0
0
0%
-1


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0



Health
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0%
-1
0


Justice
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0%
-2
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0%
-1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
100%
-1
0
0
0
0



  2006

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Education
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
100%
-1
0
0
0
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
100%
-1
0
0
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
50%
-1
0
50%
-1
0
0


MEP
0
0
0
0%
-1
0
0
0


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0



Health
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Justice
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0%
-1
0
0
0
0
0
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0



Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0
100%
-2
0



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
33%
-1
0


Education
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0



Environment and Rural Affairs
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
100%
-1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


MEP
0
0
0
0
0


Finance and Central Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0%
-2
0
0
0
0%
-1


Health
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0%
-1
0%
-1
0


Justice
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0%
-1
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
100%
-1
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0%
-1



  2007

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May


Development
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
100%
-1
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
100%
-1
0
0


Health
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0



Justice
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0%
-1
0%
-1
0
0


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 
 


Health
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0


Justice and Communities
 
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0
0



  

Department
June
July
August
September


Development
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Health
 
 
 
 


MSP
100%
-7
0
0
0


Justice
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
0


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 


Health
 
 
 
 


MSP
100%
-1
0
0
0


Justice and Communities
 
 
 
 


MSP
0
0
0
100%
-1



  Note: *Reflects a change in organisational structure.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of requests received by it under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 from journalists were answered within the statutory time limit in each month since January 2005, broken down by department and month of receipt of the request.

Bruce Crawford: The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires that requests for information state the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence. There is no requirement for an applicant to provide, for example, their organisation, or occupation. However, where we have been notified of such, this information is recorded.

  Detail on how many and what percentage of requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 received by the Scottish Government which have been centrally recorded and, where we have been notified of the response, that were answered within the statutory time limit in each month since January 2005, broken down by department, and where an applicant has clearly identified him or herself as a coming from a journalistic organisation, is provided as follows:

  2005

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June


Development
67%
0%
100%
0
0
0%


-4
-2
-6
-1


Education
60%
90%
89%
80%
100%
0


-3
-9
-87
-12
-1


Environment and Rural Affairs
73%
100%
100%
57%
100%
80%


-11
-2
-7
-8
-3
-4


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
58%
92%
100%
80%
0%
100%


-7
-11
-6
-8
-1
-1


Finance and Central Services
80%
73%
87.50%
64%
50%
100%


-8
-16
-14
-7
-2
-2


Health
50%
86%
36%
52%
100%
100%


-3
-43
-10
-11
-8
-1


Justice
0%
100%
100%
100%
100%
0


-1
-7
-27
-8
-1


Legal and Parliamentary Services
80%
50%
75%
15%
100%
100%


-4
-1
-6
-2
-1
-1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
78%
54%
3%
83%
50%
0


-35
-19
-1
-5
-1



  

Department
July
August
September
October
November
December


Development
0
100%
0
0%
0
50%


-2
-1
-1


Education
100%
100%
50%
100%
0
100%


-6
-5
-1
-1
-1


Environment and Rural Affairs
0
50%
0%
17%
100%
0


-1
-1
-1
-1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
100%
0%
0%
67%
100%
0


-1
-1
-1
-2
-1


Finance and Central Services
56%
67%
50%
0
0%
67%


-5
-2
-1
-2
-2


Health
96%
100%
0
50%
25%
0


-28
-3
-1
-1


Justice
100%
0
0%
50%
80%
100%


-3
-1
-1
-4
-1


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0%
67%
0
100%
0
0%


-1
-2
-2
-1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
78%
100%
50%
0
0%
0%


-7
-1
-1
-2
-1



  2006

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
0
0
0
0
0
0
0



Education
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0
0


-1
-1
-1
-1
-3


Environment and Rural Affairs
100%
25%
100%
100%
50%
0
100%


-2
-1
-1
-1
-1
-3


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0%
75%
0%
0%
0%
67%
100%


-1
-3
-2
-2
-3
-2
-1


Finance and Central Services
20%
70%
43%
100%
25%
0
40%


-3
-7
-3
-2
-1
-2


Health
0
0
25%
100%
67%
33%
0


-1
-2
-2
-2


Justice
0
0%
50%
0
0
100%
100%


-2
-1
-3
-2


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0%
0
100%
0
0
0
0


-1
-1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
0%
100%
19%
50%
80%
100%


-3
-1
-3
-2
-4
-1



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
0
0
0
0
0%


-1


Education
100%
0
100%
50%
0


-1
-2
-1


Environment and Rural Affairs
100%
67%
0
0
0%


-2
-2
-1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0
0%
0%
0
0


-3
-1


Finance and Central Services
40%
43%
0
100%
50%


-2
-3
-3
-1


Health
0
0
0
40%
100%


-2
-1


Justice
71%
0%
100%
0
0


-5
-1
-1


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
0
0
0
0%


-1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
60%
0%
100%
100%
0


-3
-5
-2
-1



  2007

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May


Development
0
0
0
0
0


Education
100%
67%
33%
100%
0


-2
-2
-1
-2


Environment and Rural Affairs
0
50%
33%
0
0


-1
-1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0
0
0
0
0


Finance and Central Services
100%
100%
0
0
0


-1
-3


Health
0%
67%
0%
100%
100%


-1
-2
-1
-2
-4


Justice
0
100%
0
0
100%


-1
-2


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
100%
100%
0
100%


-1
-1
-1


Office of the Permanent Secretary
40%
28%
100%
75%
50%


-2
-7
-6
-3
-1


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 
 


Economy
0
0
0
0
0



Education
0
0
0
0
0


Environment
0
0
0
0
0


Health
0
0
0
0
0



Justice and Communities
0
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary
0
0
0
0
0




  

Department
June
July
August
September


Development
0
0
0
0


Education
0
0
0
0



Environment and Rural Affairs
0%
0
0
0


-1


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0
0
0
0


Finance and Central Services
0
0
0
0



Health
50%
100%
0
0


-1
-1


Justice
0
0
0
0



Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
0
0
0



Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
100%
0
0


-2


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 


Economy
0
0
100%
0


-1


Education
0
0
0
0


Environment
0
0
0
0


Health
0
0
100%
0


-3


Justice and Communities
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary
0
0
100%
100%


-1
-1



  Note: *Reflects a change in organisational structure.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the median response time has been for requests from members of the public to it under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 in each month since January 2005, broken down by department and month of receipt of the request.

The Executive have supplied the following corrected answer:

Bruce Crawford: The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires that requests for information state the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence. There is no requirement for an applicant to provide, for example, their organisation, or occupation. However, where we have been notified of such, this information is recorded.

  We do not have any requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a member of the public. However, detail on the median response time of requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 received by the Scottish Government which have been centrally recorded and where we have been notified of the response, in each month since January 2005 broken down by department, where the applicant has not identified him or herself as a MSP, MEP, councillor, or acting on behalf of an organisation, is provided below.

  2005

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
15
18
14
22
0
0
8


Education
17
14
9
22
15
13.5
19


Environment and Rural Affairs
21
18
20
18.5
21
26.5
17.5


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
21
19
18
18
18
17
12


Finance and Central Services
20
9
10
13
20
1
20


Health
20.5
18
8
7
20
5
17


Justice
0
20
15
19.5
0
61
16


Legal and Parliamentary Services
17
20
0
25
0
30
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
21.5
17
20
32
20
0
0



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
18
8
5
18
17.5


Education
11
14
17
1
23


Environment and Rural Affairs
3
4
7
22.5
18


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
21.5
1
16
21
12


Finance and Central Services
0
16
19
19
24


Health
0
22.5
17
15.5
9


Justice
18
29
20
17
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
3
0
0
25
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
16
20
20
38.5



  2006

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May
June
July


Development
11
0
19.5
18
14
16.5
14


Education
20
19
18
0
0
15.5
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
100
0
13
3
18
20
40.5


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
19
7.5
16
22
14
20
4


Finance and Central Services
20
19
19.5
15
18.5
20
0


Health
44
27.5
14.5
0
24
21
0


Justice
20
41.5
17
35.5
20
20
18


Legal and Parliamentary Services
17
20
30
0
11
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
22
23
11.5
18
0
35
34.5



  

Department
August
September
October
November
December


Development
0
64
14.5
11
0


Education
24
0
17
56
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
15
2
13
0
10


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
12.5
34
21
13.5
32.5


Finance and Central Services
19
18
14
15
2


Health
33.5
22
45
22
26


Justice
16
69
20
0
25


Legal and Parliamentary Services
8
8
21
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
57
33
19
43.5
23



  2007

  

Department
January
February
March
April
May


Development
15.5
7
19.5
12
8


Education
0
22
11
5
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
10
17.5
17
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
33
25
31
20
28


Finance and Central Services
14
10.5
10.5
22
16


Health
5
24
19
23
4


Justice
12
21
0
22
19.5


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
0
20
35
30


Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
26
23.5
19
14


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 
 


Economy
0
0
0
0
0


Education
0
0
0
0
0


Environment
0
0
0
0
0


Health
0
0
0
0
0


Justice and Communities
0
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary
0
0
0
0
0



  

Department
June
July
August
September


Development
20
7
0
0


Education
0
8
0
0


Environment and Rural Affairs
20
14.5
0
0


Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
0
0
0
0


Finance and Central Services
13
6
0
0


Health
0
22
0
0


Justice
0
0
0
0


Legal and Parliamentary Services
0
0
0
0


Office of the Permanent Secretary
0
0
0
0


Directors-General*
 
 
 
 


Economy
0
3.5
21.5
0


Education
0
0
4
0


Environment
14
7
0
10


Health
0
0
0
19


Justice and Communities
0
0
0
0


Permanent Secretary
0
14
0
8



  Note: *Reflects a change in organisational structure.

Housing

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association will be involved in the Housing Task Force.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association is not one of the organisations represented on the "core" Housing Supply Task Force. However, there is scope for it and other organisations to be involved in the task force process by contributing to work on particular themes or areas, for example housing supply in rural areas which is an early priority for the task force. The task force will decide which organisations to involve in its work on rural areas when it meets to discuss rural housing supply issues later this year.

Housing

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how and when it will report on the work of the Housing Supply Task Force.

Stewart Maxwell: The purpose of the Housing Supply Task Force is to promote action and to make a practical difference to the delivery of housing across Scotland. The task force will be challenging those with responsibility for delivery and pressing for change where this is hampering housing supply rather than writing reports. While it is not the intention to prepare a formal report, the detailed studies of specific issues that the task force will undertake are likely to produce conclusions of wider interest and these will be published. Minutes of meetings and other documentation will be placed on the Scottish Government website and I intend to keep Parliament informed of progress. Fundamentally, though, the role of the task force is not to analyse the problems of housing supply – it is to press for solutions.

Rail Network

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to deliver a station at Plains on the new Airdrie to Bathgate rail line, as committed to by the previous administration.

Stewart Stevenson: I understand that the commitment of the previous administration was to a feasibility study. I will be writing to the convener of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change committee shortly, providing information from the feasibility study commissioned by the previous minister, Tavish Scott MSP following his letter of 30 October 2006 to the convener of the Airdrie to Bathgate Private Bill Committee.

Rail Network

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has carried out into the technical viability of a station at Plains on the new Airdrie to Bathgate rail line.

Stewart Stevenson: Provision of a station at Plains was considered as part of the Initial Technical Feasibility Report in 2004 and this work was taken forward into the Design Development Appraisal in 2006. A further feasibility study has recently been completed following the commitment by the then minister, Tavish Scott MSP in his letter of 30 October 2006 to the convener of the Airdrie to Bathgate Private Bill Committee. I will shortly be writing to the convener of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee giving details of the findings of the report on provision of a station at Plains.

Renewable Energy

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers expect that their early review of planning, including proposals to require local authorities to take account of renewable energy as part of their local planning process, as set out in the 2007 SNP election manifesto, will be completed.

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether discussions have taken place with each local authority to assess suitable and appropriate sites for renewable generation in their areas, with full engagement with communities in this process, and how many appropriate sites have so far been identified.

Stewart Stevenson: The government believes that Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6 – Renewable Energy provides a sound national policy context and that planning authorities should address the locational aspects of renewable energy development, either by updating their local policies or by preparing supplementary planning guidance.

  Specifically with regard to wind development we want to see the SPP’s provisions taken forward urgently, with local authorities engaging with communities and other parties in the preparation of locational strategies in the form of supplementary planning guidance. These local frameworks should provide greater certainty for developers and local communities and speed up the decision making process. We see this approach as striking the right balance between national and local responsibilities.

  It is likely that authorities will have to review and update their existing policy and we believe there is also scope for authorities to work collaboratively. To assist the authorities at a time when they are addressing the challenges of delivering a modernised planning system, we shall make available a source of expert advice and issue national guidance on the preparation of the supplementary planning guidance. The chief planner has therefore written to planning authorities.

  SPP6 states in its opening paragraphs the energy policy target of 40% of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020 and notes that this is not a cap. This government has ambitions for a balanced approach to renewable energy encompassing a range of measures which extend beyond that. The SPP6 provides for a planned approach to delivering the target through setting the overall policy for preparing spatial frameworks, including the safeguarding of areas designated for their national and international natural heritage value and greenbelts. It gives a clear role to local authorities and national park authorities in relation to local interests and designated areas, in the identification of broad areas of search and in setting policy criteria which accord with the SPP.

Swimming Pools

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when free year-round access to local authority swimming pools for all children will be implemented.

Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-3520 on 4 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Teachers

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many probationary teachers who completed their probationary year in 2007 will not have secured employment by 19 September 2007.

Maureen Watt: Patterns of employment will not be available until the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) have conducted their annual survey of newly qualified teachers in October and the results of the 2007 teacher census are published in March 2008. GTCS research last year into employment post probation suggested that 54.6% of probationers were in full-time posts by October 2006 and 91.8% of probationers were employed as teachers.

  Recruitment will carry on throughout the school year with vacancies continuing to arise with the normal turnover of staff and the need for supply cover.

Tourism

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what linkages operate between local enterprise companies and VisitScotland.

Jim Mather: The enterprise networks have many linkages with VisitScotland. These include close working on the part of their tourism industry teams, together with a range of local contacts at local enterprise company (LEC) level. These linkages should be strengthened following reform of the enterprise networks, including through the formation of a Strategic Forum at which ministers intend to engage with and give direction to the chairs and chief executives of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and VisitScotland. Following our reform and removal of LEC structures, staff in the local offices of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will continue to have a range of contacts with VisitScotland colleagues.

Transport

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S3O-503 by Stewart Stevenson on 6 September 2007 ( Official Report c. 1515), how it intends to maintain traffic over the River Forth at 2006 levels; why it has chosen figures for 2006 as a maximum level; what contingency plans it intends to make if it is unable to prevent increased traffic for all modes over the Forth; whether it has considered the economic implications of restricting traffic to 2006 levels, and, if so, what the economic impact is estimated to be of such restrictions.

Stewart Stevenson: The operation of a Forth Replacement Crossing in combination with an appropriately refurbished Forth Road Bridge has been considered as part of the Forth  Replacement Crossing Study (see Report 4) and will be the subject of future deliberations by Scottish ministers.

  The baseline level of service in 2006 was selected because the Study was specifically commissioned to determine the form, function and location of a replacement crossing to the Forth Road Bridge during 2006. One of the key transport planning objectives established in the study is to "Maintain cross-Forth transport links for all modes to at least the level of service offered in 2006". Therefore, no such economic analysis has been undertaken in the context of the question.